Roadwork delays

A BUA chief claims the potential growth of the dalo industry in Wainunu has been hampered by the incomplete construction of farm roads.

Tui Wainunu Ratu Orisi Baleitavea said despite being promised over the past years that farm roads would be constructed in the district, nothing had been done.

"I have raised this since 2011 at Bua provincial meetings and through letters to government departments but nothing has been done to complete the farm roads," he said.

"We have set down our plans for a dalo farming scheme in the district but it cannot be fulfilled because there are no farm roads."

Ratu Orisi said interest from the people to cultivate dalo had grown but many had become discouraged by the road problems.

"A lot of people want to come and farm in the district because of the rich fertile soil we have.

"But the problem is the farm roads and we are asking government to help us with the roads.

Northern planning officer Uraia Rainima said the district of Wainunu had not been forgotten. "We still have them on our list and we are sorting things out with the FRA about the farm roads not only in Bua but around the country," he said.